KARACHI: Indian trade with Malaysia is three times higher than that of Pakistan and out of total Indian imports from Malaysia, 33 per cent are agro-based products, said High Commissioner of Malaysia, Ahmed Anwar Adnan.
In a meeting with members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Friday, he said the business community should capture a share of the Malaysian market and should interact with their counterparts.
He expressed surprise that exporters were less focused on East Asia and more on the Middle Eastern and Gulf region. “The Malaysian market is open to Pakistani products and the business community should exchange trade delegations and forge successful ties.”
KCCI President Abdul Majid Haji Muhammad said in order to control trade imbalance, “it is imperative that all types of rice including basmati, non-basmati, parboiled and white rice are declared major items versus palm oil in the Pak-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement.”
He said at present the trade balance is in favour of Malaysia and the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Malaysia, the first such accord between Muslim countries, needs immediate revision.
He said Pakistan’s exports should increase, especially the quota of all types of rice which Malaysia is importing from its neighbouring countries, adding the exporters can also provide quality rice at a low cost.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st, 2010.
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